The Snake and The Mirror Summary in English
This is a story about a homoeopathic doctor during his early career days. The narrator of this story is the doctor himself, where he narrates this story to some individuals. In this story, the doctor tells us that he lived in a small rented room during that time.
Furthermore the tiles of the room were supported by gables which in turn were supported by the beam. Moreover, rats were roaming all over the room and there was no electricity supply. Hence, the room was in a dire state.
In the doctors’ story, it was the summer season going on and it was night. The doctor came back to his room after finishing his meal at a restaurant. The room was certainly dark due to lack of electricity. As such the doctor made use of a kerosene lamp to lighten up his room. The doctor also took off his coat and shirt.
There were two windows in the room that were opened by him. After sitting on a chair, the doctor took a medical book to read. On the table, there was a large mirror and a lamp.
Due to the immense summer heat, it was too hot for the doctor to sleep. So, he began to gaze in the mirror and became lost in admiring himself. Furthermore, whilst admiring himself, a desire came in him to look more presentable. Gradually, there was a shifting of his thoughts from self-admiration to future marriage. The doctor thought of marrying a rich doctor, who was rich and fat.
The doctor didn’t pay much attention to the sudden silence and the scampering from the rats came to a halt. Furthermore, there was a sound of something falling but the doctor was slow to react. By the time, he had a look, there was a snake wriggling on the back of the chair. Soon, the snake coiled on the left arm of the doctor. The snake was merely inches away from his face. Consequently, the doctor went into a deep shock and became like a statue. At this moment, the doctor felt the presence of God. It seems that this snake was like a punishment from God to the doctor due to his being too arrogant. Soon, he came to the realization that he was a mere human and he should not boast.
At this realization of his true worth, the snake left the doctor and moved towards the mirror. As such, the doctor silently escaped and his life was saved. After the conclusion of the doctor’s narrative, some interested listeners asked him some questions related to the story.Page No 60:
Question 1:
Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph (30 − 40 words).
1. “The sound was familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear? What did he think it was? How many times did he hear it? (Find the places in the text.) When and why did the sounds stop?
2. What two “important” and “earth-shaking” decisions did the doctor take while he was looking into the mirror?
3. “I looked into the mirror and smiled,” says the doctor. A little later he says, “I forgot my danger and smiled feebly at myself.” What is the doctor’s opinion about himself when: (i) he first smiles, and (ii) he smiles again? In what way do his thoughts change in between, and why?
ANSWER:
1. The doctor heard a scuttling sound, which he thought to be of the rats.
He heard it thrice: as he entered his room; after combing; while looking at himself in the mirror.
The sounds stopped after the doctor heard a dull thud, because the snake had fallen to the ground.
2. While looking into the mirror, the doctor took two “important” and “earth shaking” decisions: that he would shave daily and grow a thin moustache; and that he would always wear an attractive smile on his face to look handsome
3. (i) When the doctor first smiles, he has an inflated opinion of himself, admiring his looks and profession.
(ii) In the second instance, the doctor smiles at his foolishness and helplessness.
His thoughts change after his encounter with the snake—from being a proud doctor he moves on to accept his stupidity.
Page No 60:
Question 2:
This story about a frightening incident is narrated in a humorous way. What makes it humorous? (Think of the contrasts it presents between dreams and reality. Some of them are listed below.)
1. (i) The kind of person the doctor is (money, possessions)
(ii) The kind of person he wants to be (appearance, ambition)
2. (i) The person he wants to marry
(ii) The person he actually marries
3. (i) His thoughts when he looks into the mirror
(ii) His thoughts when the snake is coiled around his arm
Write short paragraphs on each of these to get your answer.
ANSWER:
What makes this frightening story humourous is the interspersion of humourous and witty comments in the narration. Besides, the presentation of contrasts between dreams and reality also contribute to the humour element in the story. Some such contrasts are discussed below.
1. There is a visible discrepancy between the lifestyle of the doctor and his high opinion of himself. Even with a meagre income and modest living condition, he considers himself an eligible bachelor. He is extremely proud of his looks and profession. The special attention that he lays on his looks—on his moustache, hair and smile—to look handsome brings in the element of humour in the story.
2. There is also a contradiction between the kind of wife the doctor aspires for and the lady he finally marries. The doctor wants to marry a rich woman doctor. He also wants his wife to be fat, who would not be able to catch hold of him if someday he does something silly and has to run away from her. But, contrary to his wishes, he ends up getting married to a slim lady who could run like a “sprinter”.
3. When the doctor looks into the mirror, he is full of admiration for himself and thinks of ways to make his self more appealing. He decides to shave daily and keep a thin moustache. He regards his smile quite attractive and resolves to smile always. But, when the snake is coiled around his arm, he smiles for a different reason. This time it is at his foolishness and stupidity, as he did not have any medicines for snakebite. Perhaps he realises the futility of his vanity.
Page No 61:
Question 1:
Here are some sentences from the text. Say which of them tell you, that the author: (a) was afraid of the snake, (b) was proud of his appearance, (c) had a sense of humour, (d) was no longer afraid of the snake.
1. I was turned to stone.
2. I was no mere image cut in granite.
3. The arm was beginning to be drained of strength.
4. I tried in my imagination to write in bright letters outside my little heart the words, ‘O God’.
5. I didn’t tremble. I didn’t cry out.
6. I looked into the mirror and smiled. It was an attractive smile.
7. I was suddenly a man of flesh and blood.
8. I was after all a bachelor, and a doctor too on top of it!
9. The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness...! The rascal could have taken it and used it after washing it with soap and water.
10. Was it trying to make an important decision about growing a moustache or using eye shadow and mascara or wearing a vermilion spot on its forehead?
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